ABSTRACT
Let us examine ve concepts that set the stage for interviewing success. In my career, I conducted perhaps thousands of interviews, and looking back I found ve constructs that oen determine the outcome of police interviewing. Success may be obtainable without each of the ve or any one of the ve, but collectively they make the process work in favor of the ocer and therefore in favor of society. e ve key elements are, in order of importance:
1. Interviewer traits 2. Specic and detailed knowledge of the crime 3. Knowledge about the person being interviewed
Setting the Stage for Success 37 Interviewer Traits 38 Knowledge of the Crime 38 Knowledge of the Interviewee 38 Interview and Interrogation Skills 39 Interview Setting 39
Interview Room Amenities 40 Qualities that Shape Successful Interviewers 41 e Miranda Warning 43
e Miranda Rights Form 44 e End Game 45 e Interview Log 45 Tape Recording Interviews 46 Ocers’ Note Taking 48 Second-Chance Interviews 48 Bibliography 49
4. Being practiced in the art and skills of interviewing and interrogating
5. Being in a position to arrange the proper contact setting.
